Jump Down to Suggestions
Contribute Your Suggestions
Do you ever read the newsgroups, surf the
web, or look around at the outstanding individuals who are selflessly helping
animals, and admire their great efforts towards their causes? Of course
you do, and if you are like us, you probably wish you had more time and/or
money to contribute a little yourselves.
Well... not everything takes alot of time and
money. Too often I have caught myself thinking, "Gee, I'd like to do more
regarding ___________, but... (insert excuse here)", and gone peacefully
along my way. The most recent time was after Tiki came to live with us.
When I filled out on the adoption papers, I wrote "not at this time, baby
expected soon" in the section asking if I could donate time to the shelter.
When I got home, I was so grateful to have
found Tiki and have her become a part of our family. Then I thought of
her kittens, which had been left behind. How many would find homes? How
many would be euthanised? How many other animals were out there living
the life that Tiki used to live? I thought about all the kittens, cats,
dogs, and puppies that were still at the shelter. I thought about the scrawling
writing on the fact sheets pinned on the cages - "Reason for Releasing
Animal for Adoption: 'Stray', 'New Baby in House', 'Moving', 'Allergic',
'Clawed Furniture', 'Can't Look After', 'No Pets Allowed'. "
When Tiki became sick, I surfed the web alot.
I never realized what a widespread problem homelessness, abuse, mistreatment,
and lack of proper care is for animals. It has been a very eye opening
experience...
which I wanted to help do something about.
But what could I do? The person with no time
or money. Well after I thought about it, there *are* things I can do.
Please
fill in this form to contribute your suggestions and practices
which you do for
your favourite cause. I'm sure there could be different things that can
be done to help different causes, and if we get together and make them
known that's even better!
Rather than do up a list of links to sites
with theoretical information on what could be done, I feel that a show
of real peoples' contributions would make more of an impact, and make people
realize that people *can* and *are* doing something. Help us all realize
that there's more to helping than giving up alot of time and alot of money,
both of which so many people are short on these days. The little things
can go a long way towards counting.
We may not necessarily endorse all the views
submitted to this page, if you consider something here to be controversial,
please contact the author of the suggestion.
Thank you,
Lorraine
divatiki@oocities.com
What We Can All Do To Help Make A Difference
- What Do You Do?
Contribute Your Suggestions - Thank
you everyone for your input and for the little things you do.
(Name) Kait
(Cause) Ending the killing of an endangered species
(Suggestion(s)) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a great lover of wolves. Resently I learned something that shocked me
greatly and I felt needed to be delt with. In Canada, even though wolves are
an endangered species you are allowed to hunt them nine months in a year.
If you are a farmer you may kill them all year round. There is no limit to
the amount of wolves you kill and you don't need to report it. Last year in
Canada 44 wolves were reported. Imagine all those who weren't. I would like
some help. If anyone can tell me an address I can send a letter to about this,
please email me. Some people I would like the address of are: Members of the
Canadian Government Wildlife specialists and Others with the same feelings
as myself.
Thank you for your time, Kait Hatch
(Name) Jen
(Cause) Military Family Pet Awareness
(Suggestion(s))
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTENTION MILITARY MEMBERS: Please remember that your pets are family,
too! I urge you to keep your pet for the long term, not just until it becomes
inconvenient for you. Yes, it is possible (and the responsible thing to do)
to take your pet with you when you move. It is irresponsible and unfair to
build trust and loyalty in an animal and then abandon it, especially in a
foreign country! I have been in the military for thirteen years and have moved
3 pets in and out of foreign countries five times already and will continue
to do so. Please, you owe it to your pet to plan well in advance to either
to take your pet with you or to find a suitable home. Unfortunately, the military
does not yet have a written policy enforcing their members to be "responsible"
pet owners. As a military member, I would be very sad if I couldn't have pets
at all because a few irresponsible people ruined it for me. Microchips could
be used for tracking animals and the military! could fine those who abandon
their animals. For those of you who are reading this and are not in the military,
please address this concern to your local representatives (after all the military
is funded through our tax dollars). As a military member and animal lover,
in addition to volunteering my time at the local shelter, I also educate others
on the importance of proper planning for their pets when they are getting
ready to change duty stations.
(Name)
C S
(URL)
Qoths' Place :-)
(Cause) Adoptions and the Military
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I believe shelters, rescue organizations and breeders should make
it a policy NOT to adopt out/sell to Military families without careful
consideration. The Marin County animal shelter in Marin, Ca had/has
this policy, and for good reason. With a large Navy population in
the area, they had a huge problem with surrendered animals. You will
also find a good number of feral cats around military bases and untrained
dogs abound.
There are several reasons for this:
1. Often there is only one spouse at home, taking care of
kids, working and doing the things two would normally do - the pet is often
last on the list of 'things to do'
2. The husband wants to get a dog to protect his wife while
he is away - better to get a phone with speed-dial 911. See reason #1.
3. The children are having trouble adjusting to the parent
being home/gone all the time, so they get a pet 'for companionship'. See
reason #1 - parent will be the one responsible for care, training, etc.
4.There are many countries that have 3 - 6 month quarentine periods
at the member's expense. Off to the shelter Fluffy goes. (This also
happens because the pet IS loved and cared for and the family can't stand
to put it through the experience.)
5. It is hard enough finding care-providers for children in
case of transfer of single parents getting underway, let alone the four-legged
kids.
6. During the household move (every 2 - 4 yrs)Fluffy freaks,
bolts out the door and...another feral cat or starving dog.
7. As at Oak Harbor, Wa the military only has 30 units which
allow pets. The renting community does not like pets (pit bulls/mixes are
not allowed in city limits, by the way) and, if allowed, charge exorbitant
fees ($800 at my place for 3 dogs). Guess where the faithful animals often
end up?
8. Transfering to a location with limited military housing,
no pets allowed at the military motel, or where there is no one the member
knows is extremely difficult - Japan, Italy, Washington state, etc. It
is often seen as totally imossible to take a pet along when the logistics
of a transfer are contemplated. Off goes the pet to the shelter,
often amidst tears, but off, nonetheless.
I am not being prejudiced, well, I am, but justifiably. I have
spent 18 years over a 23 year period in the Navy, and grew up in San Diego.
I know what I am talking about. When we decided to get a dog, we
discussed it for a year to make sure it was what we were committed to
doing.
It was agreed that, should I get transferred to a place with a lengthy
quarantine period, or where pets were a hardship, that my husband would
stay in the States. Yes, a 1 - 3 year seperation because of a dog.
An alternate to adoption/purchase...encourage sponsership of an animal,
volunteering at a shelter or foster care. These do not require long-term
commitment and can be done with a varied lifestyle anywhere in the world.
Also, low-cost training classes on the local base gives busy parents a
close place to train, on an often limited budget (advertise through the
base paper and MWR). Encourage base schools to have a mascot so that
the kids can have the advantage of pet-contact.
That's it from me, hope it helps. Great idea, Diva and Tiki, keep
up the good work!
(Name) KittyKapers
(E-Mail)
darrju@yahoo.com
(URL)
Always Loving Cats
(Cause) Shelter Animals
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chloe's mom found this site surfing the net one day. When I went
to see what it was about, it really touched my heart. This is such a small
gesture, but comes from a big heart. This project provides some comfort
to animals in shelters waiting for a home. It adds a little warmth to the
cold, hard cages these animals are kept in. Please visit
SNUGGLES PROJECT
and see what you can do.
(Name) Evangeline Baker
(E-Mail)
briang2@gte.net
(URL)
Angie's Animal Adoptions
(Cause) Adoptions
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 easy and fun Ways to help animals
IF you want to help animals in shelters, why dont you:
1. Donate your old computer, VCR, car, etc. to them and write it
off on your taxes at its blue book value?(You may get more $ out of this
than selling it)
2. Donate any extra land, barn space, etc. if you have it to a rescue
organization? (another tax write off!)
3. Donate old clothes, blankets, towels, office supplies, cleaning
supplies, cardboard boxes, news papers, etc to the animal shelter?
4. Buy a bone or toy for every dog at the shelter?
5. Volunteer to be a dog walker for the shelter and help them get
out of their cages for a while?
6. Place a classified ad advertsiing a specific hard to place animal
at your local shelter?
7. Offer to post pictures of the animals who need adoption on your
website?
8. Organize a "dog wash" day at the local shelter. Clean and groom
the animals to help them get adopted!
9. Foster some animals you may not have room for on a permanent
basement?
10. Print out the website ads from your local shelter of pets available
for adoption and pin them on the supermarket board?
(Name) Gurgi Ferret
(E-Mail)
gurgifuzz@mindspring.com
(URL)
Gurgi's space behind the couch
(Cause) Shelter Donations
(Suggestion(s))
--------------------------------------------------------------
A really easy thing I do is through a web site called Eyegive (
http://www.eyegive.com
). I have their
web page set up as my start page, and everytime I click on them to go to
my normal start page, they take the money they get from advertisers and
donate it to my favorite charity -- Everytime I startup Netscape, I'm donating
money to Ferret Association of Connecticut. Lots of shelters are listed
there, and if your favorite isn't there, they give you information on how
it can be. Even people who don't have a lot of change to spare CAN make
a difference, just by clicking on a page.
(Name) Eugene Bartley
(E-Mail)
pequod@gate.net
(Cause) Spaying/Neutering
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The University of West Florida in Pensacola is set far back off
the main road on a large wooded tract. By accident I stumbled on what I
believe to be an outstanding project carried on by the combined Greek societies.
Due to the remoteness, the area has also become a dump area for unwanted
felines. Eventually they turn feral. Students along with animal control
and the Humane Society once a year collect as many as possible, give them
a health check, shots, and spay or neuter before re-release.The project
is funded by "at-cost" medical expense and from monies gained by student
projects.
The upside to a very downsided situation is the area carries a large
rodent population, which the feline popuation keeps at a manageable level.
A no-win turned into a win-win situation for the mutual benefit of both
human and feline.
It should be noted that even so, the dumping of an animal for whatever
reason is not to be condoned. The above is only an attempt to rectify what
should not be in the first place.
Regards, Eugene Bartley
(Name) Kitty
(E-Mail)
kitty@poetic.com
(URL)
No More Cruelty!
(Cause) Ending Cruelty
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Spread awareness of the extent and implications of animal cruelty.
On the internet, or your local magazines.
2. Be active. Help out in your animal cruelty shelter and petition
your politicians on the dangers of animal cruelty. Many serial killers
and violent criminals started out abusing animals repeatedly and extremely.
Call for more research to be conducted on this issue. (My mom's lecturer
told her there is only statistical evidence for this.)
3. Show by example. Be kind to animals and lead by example to your
family and friends.
4. Become vegetarian (shown to be better for health) and promote
a lifestyle without animal cruelty products and write to those who make
them to stop.
NOTE: There is a page of companies
that test on animals at
http://www.oocities.org/RainForest/2593/testing.htm
(Name) Elaine Freeman
(E-Mail)
kraken2@webtv.net
(Cause) spay and neuter
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Make up several donation cans and take them around to your local
businesses. They can put them on counter near cash register. When people
check out, they will usually drop some loose change in the cans. A few
cents here and there adds up.
I have seen grocery stores that have a big barrel near front and
people buy food and drop it in to help shelters.
But the best thing you can do is educate. Also the hardest. People
still believe they should let their pet
have just
one litter. Post statistics about how many animals are born from just one
litter.
Keep up good work, Elaine
(Name) David
(E-Mail)
dzucker@ix.netcom.com
(Cause) Shelter Outreach
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Help your local shelter advertise!! Many shelters need people to
post announcement of upcomming events, etc. in local stores, on telephone
posts, and so on.
Also, you could post items on newsgroups -- shelter hours & policies,
pet listings.
(Name) Second Chance
(E-Mail)
acgat@sover.net
(Cause) Humane Society
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Become a foster care family - good for people who are home a lot
(that's what these animals need)
Our organization pays for the food and vet care for the foster cats
and dogs - the families provide the space and the love and care.
Litters of kittens are kept in "kitty condos" in your house - easy
to care for.
Short-term foster care is also needed for those animals recovering
from spay/neuter surgery - 2-3 days at most.
Foster care-giving is not expensive andf doesn't require time spent
at the shelter away from home.
(Name) dudelcat - a lurker in rec.pets.cats
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I save newspapers and take them in, which are shredded and used
in puppy and kitten kennels, and for lining pens. One shelter near me is
constantly in need of newspapers, and it is a nearly free thing to do if
you get papers already.
I also ask for gifts (christmas, birthday, etc.) that come from the
shelter, and tend to give gifts from shelters (even a small little ceramic
animal, or a cat toy for a friend's cat is helping). I ask for specific
things, like "Spay and neuter" or shelter shirts, so I can walk around
and advertise for them.
If you work full time, or even part time, some companies have a "matching
gifts" program, and even if you could only give $5 a month or something,
it would be doubled if your employer participates in a program like that.
Ask at your personnel/human services office and see if there is a program
like that in effect, or maybe push to establish one in your workplace.
It works not only for humane societies, but other charitable organisations
as well (tax exempt organisations).
Sometimes even supporting the efforts of the volunteers can be a
great help, by bringing in a case of soda/pop/coke or a container of cookies
or something can be wonderful for the people that are working with the
animals.
Check and see if the local shelters have programs or things that
you can contribute to (maybe a garage sale, a craft sale, maybe you can
make something that they need like blankets for the animals to lie on,
etc.). Do they have a walkathon, a "walk for the animals" that you might
be able to do one saturday a year? You could get pledges and make money
for them that way, if you entered.
(Name) Helen S
(E-Mail)
FSTD@netcomuk.co.uk
(Cause) Help out at local shelter
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
All I can say is the *little* I do to help my local shelter...
1. Use my PC to design and produce the wrappers for donation collection
boxes.
2. Use PC to design and produce car stickers advertising the shelter.
3. Use PC to design and produce notelets, greetings cards, etc.
to be sold at fund raising days.
4. Sell raffle tickets!
5. Visit shelter periodically and always take donation of food/litter
each visit.
6. Visit shelter and spend time with the cats so they remain "used
to" humans - an affectionate cat is more likely to find a home rather than
a scared cat lurking in the background.
7. Be prepared to empty the litter trays at the shelter!
This is not a vast amount of help, but lots of little bits of help
add up!
Kind regards, helen S
P.S. FORGOT TO MENTION - SPONSOR AN ANIMAL!!!
(Name) Some Caring Felines
(Cause) Feeding our Hungry
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In many major cities, there are volunteer organisations who visit,
and/or deliver meals to housebound & low income seniors. Many of these
seniors have companion pets. If you are already involved with that cause,
contribute some pet food as well as your usual contribution. Even if you
aren't involved in that cause, find out if there are seniors who could
use that kind of help, and contribute the pet food. Not many people would
think to do it and you could be starting a whole new arena of volunteering
in your area!
(Name) Trina
(E-Mail)
trina@shopcat.com
(URL)
Shopcat.com
(Cause) Rescue Efforts
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are some wonderful animal sanctuaries that do "sponsorship"
programs. You sponsor an animal or two (or three, or...) and they send
you a picture of your new friend and newsletters every month. I am doing
this through Best Friends
(www.bestfriends.org)
and am the proud sponsor of Otis and Sinjin! My Humane Society(Seattle)
has a program like this as well. It's well worth a look.
(Name) Trina
(E-Mail)
trina@shopcat.com
(URL)
Shopcat.com
(Cause) Shelter Donations
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The very easiest way to give money is to buy things from the shelters.
HSUS has a catalog with all kinds of cat and dog gift items. Local Humane
Societies also often sell the Entertainment Book filled with coupons for
you to use. They get the profits from selling the book, you get the discounts!
(Name)
Diva & Tiki
(E-Mail)
divatiki@oocities.com
(URL)
Diva & Tiki's Purrsonal Home Page
(Cause) Donations to Local Shelter
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are little things we can do to help our local shelter, we
are saving recyclables and returning them for the deposit money ($0.05/bottle
where we live), and adding that to a donation pot. When we go get groceries
we can use the savings from coupons and add that to the pot, and while
we're there it doesn't hurt to buy a couple extra cans of food that we
can stockpile. Eventually we will be able to make a decent donation.
(Name)
Diva & Tiki
(E-Mail)
divatiki@oocities.com
(URL)
Diva & Tiki's Purrsonal Home Page
(Cause) Donations to Causes/Funds
(Suggestion(s))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Find out at your next visit to the veterinarian's office if they
have any funds set up for donations to causes. A few cents or even a dollar
out of your pocket won't kill you that day, you can skip your trip to the
coffee shop if it does.
divatiki@oocities.com